Instrument for forcing air into the lungs



(No Model.) P. P. WILGOX.

INSTRUMENT FOR PORGING AIR INTO THB LUNGS. No. 459,898. Patented Sept.22, 1891.

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UNITED f STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERIC P. VILCOX, OF CLIFTON SPRINGS, NET YORK.

INSTRUMENT FOR FORCING AIR INTO THE LUNGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,898, datedSeptember 22, 1891.

Application filed February 28, 1891. Serial No. 383,249. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERIC P. WILcox, a citizen of the United States,residing at Clifton Springs, in the county of Ontario and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Instrumentsfor Artiticially Forcing Air into the Lungs; and I do declare thefollowing to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings,-and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements ininstruments for artificially forcing compressed airinto thelungs, andhas forits object especially the treatment of chronic diseasesof thelung tissue, such as phthisis or consumption and kindred affections,byforcibly distending the uttermost aircells of the diseased organs,thereby increasing the lung capacity and exposing a greater extent ofsurface for oxygenizing the blood.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrative of my invention, Figure lrepresents a general View of my device, partly in section, the end ofthe instrument that enters the throat being detached and the reservoiror other source of compressed air, with `which the instrument is inpractice connected at its opposite end, being suppressed forsimplification. Fig. 2 represents the detachable end portion ot' theinstrument which is designed to pass into the larynx between the vocalchords when the instrument is in operation. Fig. 3 is a section on theline y of Fig. 2. Figwlis an enlarged sectional view of a convenientform of valve for controlling the admission of the compressed air to thelungs.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts in the severalviews.

A is the hollow handle of my device, which may be made of vulcanite orother appropriate material, and through which leads a small tube B,which is provided at C with means for connecting it with a reservoir orother source of compressed air, and which is bent at right angles towardits other end at D in order to enable the extremity of the instrument tobe placed more readily in the throat. The

supply of compressed air is controlled by the piston-valve E, whoseconstruction will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 3, andwhich is connected through an aperture in the casing A of the handlewith the small airtube B. This valve is held normally closed by thespiral spring F, and is opened to allow the passage of the compressedair by depressing the button G.

H is a small gage showing the pressure of the air upon the lungs.

I is an auxiliary tube surrounding the inner air-tube B, incommunication, also, with the hollow space inside the handle, andscrewthreaded at K for connection with the terminal attachment L, ofwhich there may be several sizes to suit different purposes. Thisterminal attachment is conoidal in general form, as shown, and flattenedor elliptical toward its lower end, as shown in Fig. 3, in order toadapt it more readily to the shape of the aperturc in the throat, whichit is designed to penetrate, and it is preferably made of gold, silver,vulcanite, or similar uncorrodible material.

N is a lever operating the valve M for permitting the escape of the airfrom the lungs through the auxiliary exterior tube I whenever uponreference to the gage it is deemed advisable to relax the air-pressure.

The parts of my invention being constructed and arranged as described,its method of operation is as follows: My device is not intended to beused for the purpose of the resuscitation of drowned persons or in othercases where'the subject is unconscious and articial respiration becomesnecessary; but it is intended to furnish a means of systematic treatmentof patients afflicted with chronic diseases of the lung tissue withoutresorting to tracheotomy or other heroic process, or inducing anycondition of partial or complete unconsciousness or anaesthesia. To thisend the conoidal terminal attachment L is screwed into place upon theinstrument at. K and gently inserted in the larynx, between the vocalchords, until the aperture is entirely filled, which the peculiar shapeof my attachment will greatly facilitate. The compressed air from thereservoir or other source is then admitted tothe lungs through the smallinterior tube B by depressing the button G with ICO the thumb. Thisoperates to artificially distend the morbid and inactive cells andtissues of the lungs, thus exposing the blood to the contact of a largerair-surface. The air in addition follows up the outer tube I, and alsofills the hollow interior of the handle A, and this serves the usefulpurpose of a sort of air cushion to relieve to some degree the shocksthat the lungs might be subject to were the pressure upon them absolute.I watch carefully the face of the indicator Hin order that the pressureof air may not become too great; and this limit varies according to thecondition of the subject, requiring experience to determine it. I thenrelieve the button G, and the valve E shuts off the supply of air. IVhenthe air has remained in the lungs a suitable length of time, I depressthe lever N and the valve M in the outer tube-opening. rlhe airispermitted to escape until the normal pressure is restored, whereupon theoperation is repeated as often as required; After a series of treatmentsthe lung capacity becomes augmented and the organs themselves becomestronger and healthier, so' that the patient can comfortably and safelyendure a much higher pressure than at the outset, and by consulting thegage I am thus enabled to note from time to time the measure of thisimprovement.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. An instrument forartificially expanding the cells of the lungs, consisting ofa source ofsupply of compressed air, a valve for controlling the passage of thesame to the lungs, a gage showin g its pressure upon the lungs when soadministered, and a second valve for coutrolling its exit, substantiallyas described.

2. In an instrument for artificially expanding the cells of the lungs,the combination of a source of supply of compressed air, an inner tubeleading from such source to the lungs, a valve in said inner tube forcontrolling the passage of the air therethrough, an auxiliary tubesurrounding the first and also in communieation with the lungs, and avalve in said exterior tube for controlling the escape of the airtherefrom, substantially as described.

3. An instru mentfor artificially expanding the cells of the lungs,consisting of a source of supply of compressed air, an inner tubeleading from such source to the lungs, a valve in said inner tube forcontrolling the passage of the air therethrough, an auxiliary tubesurrounding the first and also in communication with the lungs, a valvein said exterior tube for controlling the escape of the air therefrom,and a gage for showing the pressure ofthe air upon the lungs, saidinstrument being provided with a bulbous terminal attachment conoidal ingeneral form and flattened or elliptical in cross-section, substantiallyas described..

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in 65 presence of twoWitnesses.

FREDERIC P. WILCOX. Witnesses:

J. C. SMITH, EDGAR O. CRossMAN.

